8139793

Methods and Apparatus for Capturing Audio Signals Based on a Visual Image

PublishedMarch 20, 2012
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
InventorsXiao Dong Mao
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
23 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.

1

1. A method comprising: detecting an initial listening zone wherein the initial listening zone represents an initial area monitored for sounds by at least one microphone; detecting a view of a visual device; comparing the view of the visual device with the initial area of the initial listening zone; and adjusting the initial listening zone and forming an adjusted listening zone having an adjusted area monitored for sounds by at least one microphone based on comparing the view and the initial area.

2

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing sounds emanating from the adjusted area.

3

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing sounds emanating from the initial area.

4

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein adjusting further comprises enlarging the initial area of the initial listening zone.

5

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein adjusting further comprises reducing the initial area of the initial listening zone.

6

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein adjusting further comprises shifting a location of the initial area of the initial listening zone.

7

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the initial listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

8

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the adjusted listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

9

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing an adjusted sound from the adjusted listening zone via a microphone array.

10

10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising transmitting the adjusted sound.

11

11. The method according to claim 9 further comprising storing the adjusted sound.

12

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein microphone array includes more than one microphone.

13

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the visual device is a still camera.

14

14. A method comprising: detecting an image from a visual device; forming a listening zone monitored by at least one microphone for sounds emanating from an area associated with the image; capturing sounds emanating from the listening zone; and dynamically adjusting the listening zone based on the image.

15

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the initial listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

16

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the adjusted listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

17

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the visual device is a still camera.

18

18. The method according to claim 14 wherein dynamically adjusting further comprises enlarging the listening zone.

19

19. The method according to claim 14 wherein dynamically adjusting further comprises reducing the listening zone.

20

20. The method according to claim 14 wherein dynamically adjusting further comprises moving the listening zone to a different location.

21

21. The method according to claim 14 wherein the image is one of a plurality of images that form a video segment.

22

22. A system, comprising: an area detection module configured for detecting a listening zone wherein the listening zone is to be monitored for sounds by at least one microphone; a view detection module configured for detecting a view monitored by a visual device; an area adjustment module configured for adjusting the listening zone monitored for sounds based on the view; and a sound detection module configured for detecting sounds emanating from the listening zone.

23

23. The system according to claim 22 wherein an area associated with the listening zone is described by a set of filter coefficients.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

March 20, 2012

Inventors

Xiao Dong Mao

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Cite as: Patentable. “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING AUDIO SIGNALS BASED ON A VISUAL IMAGE” (8139793). https://patentable.app/patents/8139793

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